I sometimes feel this way. So far I;m lucky and the words return to me. I fear Alzheimer's as I watched it take my grandmother away. Away to wherever she was...she wasn't in her body, or was she? An unanswered question? Mom and I do puzzles,crosswords, anything to keep the words flowing.

In my youth I had a friend with whom I eventually made it to the tip of the Yucatan and back by plane, commercial bus, ferry, canoe, tour bus, boat, foot, and train. He spoke three languages and contracted HIV. The virus robbed him of the right words in the right places and, eventually, his life. From me, he wanted to go to Disneyland, so we did. And my last visit to him in a San Francisco hospital room included sounds and smells as gifts--words were no longer on the menu.

You know better than I that the big A is hardly the only robber of words. Wonderful poem.

So tragic to think of a poet losing her or her words. I didn't know this about Emerson. I am so terrified of that disease, having seen what it did to my mom, having watched my mom die as a result of it. There, I said it.

Well, there's THAT to worry about and then I worry about the fact that when I'm with patients who have the type of aphasia where they put in other words for the words they've lost--a word salad of sorts--and I know exactly what they are talking about. I don't even notice the incorrect words. That can't be right...:>)

Well, I think we communicate with way more than words, so you are "tuning in." By the way, a show tonight on PBS (Nova?) showed how a sensory-rich, enjoyable environment can improve the memory of both mice and people. Good to seek out in any case! (They also mentioned coffee.)

Just spoke for over an hour yesterday with my friend whose husband is now this way and has gone into constant care. Sad that the mind wants this for some. Sad for those it's happening to - sad for those who watch. And hard. A burden we shouldn't have to bear on top of all that life has made us endure - only to be ladled with this at the end.

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about me

Mother to two full-of-beauty girls, an outside cat who became an inside cat but likes to go outside then back inside, a handsome boxer dog, and multiple fish all named Chang.
A dancer's spirit in a nurse's body. Bent, but not broken. Yet.

what I can't seem to put down despite the desperate need to cook dinner

and what has my ear

movies seen in 2017

Lion

Moonlight

La La Land

feel free,

blog without burden

random thoughts...

"Speech is our second possession, after the soul--and perhaps we have no other possession in this world."

Gabriela Mistral

The entries here are my writings and works in progress, or another writer's work which has moved my heart. Meant to be a bit of a journal on the days that pass by so quickly. Readers are very welcome, comments and critiques always appreciated.

PS. Any pictures or comments referring to brain matters ARE NOT referring to your brain or anyone's brain. Absolutely not. Think creative non-fiction. Details about individuals have been changed to protect anyone involved, remotely involved, or who may at any time have looked at or even driven past a hospital. I live to comply with HIPAA Federal Law. Unless you are one of the Three Stooges or have ever been on Shindig, in which case, yeah, that's you. Be proud and out loud.

Be Not Forgetful

“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Hebrews 13:2.

Desiderata

Go placidlyamid the noise and haste,and remember what peacethere may be in silence.As far as possible without surrenderbe on good termswith all persons.Speak your truthquietly and clearly; and listento otherseven to the dull and ignorant;they too have their story.Avoid loud and aggressive persons,they are vexatious to the spirit.If you compare yourselfwith others,you may becomevain or bitter,for always there will begreater and lesser personsthan yourself.Enjoy your achievementsas well as your plans.Keep interested in your own career,however humble;it is a real possession in thechanging fortunes of time.Exercise cautionin your business affairs;for the world is full of trickery.But let this not blind youto what virtue there is;many persons strive for high ideals,and everywherelife is full of heroism.Be yourself.Especially do not feign affection.Neither be cynical about love;for in the face of all aridityand disenchantmentit is as perennial as the grass.Take kindly the counsel of the years,gracefully surrenderingthe things of youth.Nurture strength of spiritto shield you in sudden misfortune.But do not not distress yourselfwith dark imaginings.Many fears are born offatigue and loneliness.Beyond a wholesome discipline,be gentle with yourself.You are a child of the universe,no less than the trees and the stars;you have a right to be here.And whether or notit is clear to you,no doubtthe universe is unfoldingas it should.Thereforebe at peace with God,whatever you conceive Him to be.And whatever your labors and aspirations,in the noisy confusion of life,keep peace in your soul.With all its sham, drudgeryand broken dreams,it is still a beautiful world.Be cheerful.Strive to be happy.

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Life Lesson

My Granny Pruett used to say you could judge a man by how well his fire burns.

Yippee!! Blog of Note

February 2009

thanks sweet annie

thanks ds:>)

and zombie chicken

thanks, you crazy cats

"this path, this road that is one perfect straight line even if it goes around the world through heat and fog and rain and snow and it's my life I keep thinking. It's my life."--Deborah Keenan, from "Small History"

Say Thank You, Polly.

"The wild things helped", as did Sue Hubbell's A Country Year

...Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves...Do not...seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will...gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.